Swine flu alert: Mumbai schools tell students to stay at home if they have fever or cold

Mumbai reported 92 cases of swine flu last month. Sixteen people have died of swine flu so far this year

Taking note of the rise in cases of swine flu, Mumbai schools asked parents not to send children to school if they have a fever or a cold.

Swine flu known as influenza A (H1N1) is a respiratory infection which could be fatal if untreated.

Mumbai reported 92 cases of swine flu last month. Sixteen people have died of swine flu so far this year.

Swami Vivekananda International Schools in Gorai and Kandivli issued the advisory after their two students got swine flu. “Swine flu is contagious. As kids are in close proximity to each other in school, it spreads fast,” said Yogesh Patel, director of the schools.

An advisory issued by Patel states: “If your child gets sick, don’t send him or her to school. Let the child rest at home and recover before resuming school.”

Parents have been asked to watch out for symptoms such as fever, weakness, cough and cold, headache, sore throat, among others.

“Fever may seem minor at first but could turn out to be serious later. Schoolchildren are the most vulnerable,” adds the advisory.

St Mary’s School, Mazgaon (ICSE), will be lenient with attendance for the next couple of months. “We are encouraging students to stay at home if they catch a cold or fever,” said Father Francis Swamy, principal of the school and joint secretary of the Archdiocesan Board of Education, which runs 150-odd schools in Mumbai.

”Infections are spreading fast in this weather. We are advising students to drink boiled water and avoid outside food,” said Swamy.